PFAS: The Ubiquitous Forever Chemicals

In 1946, DuPont introduced the world to Teflon, a water-resistant coating that could be applied to almost anything — granting unheard-of resistance to water, stains, sticking, and heat. By the end of the 1950s, Teflon and similar coatings were being applied liberally to consumer products of every kind. What could possibly go wrong?

The ubiquity of PFAS

DuPont had commercialized per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFAS. The first breakout product was nonstick cookware, but it didn’t stop there. An inexhaustive list of PFAS applications includes:

• Pizza boxes, fast-food packaging, and food wrappers of all kinds
• Umbrellas, tents, and water-resistant clothing
• Carpets and stain-resistant fabrics
• Firefighting foam (AFFF)
• Rubber and insulation for wiring

PFAS derive their unique properties from the carbon-fluorine bond — one of the strongest in materials science. That same bond is the root of the problem: PFAS don’t break down in the environment or in the human body the way other contaminants do. They bioaccumulate, and even without further exposure, some can take over a decade to clear from the body. Hence the nickname: forever chemicals.

Health effects

The two most-studied legacy PFAS, PFOS and PFOA, have been the subject of decades of research. Studies have associated PFAS exposure with health effects including:

• Several cancers, including testicular, liver, and pancreatic
• Weakened immune response
• Birth defects, fertility and pregnancy complications
• Endocrine disruption
• Weight gain and cholesterol increases
• Developmental delays in children

PFOS and PFOA were voluntarily phased out of U.S. production in the 2000s, but manufacturers have since synthesized thousands of replacement PFAS compounds — far more than regulators can test as fast as they are introduced.

The regulatory picture has changed

For years there was no enforceable federal standard for PFAS in drinking water. That changed in 2024, when the U.S. EPA finalized the first national drinking-water limits for PFAS — setting maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS at just 4 parts per trillion, among the strictest standards ever issued. In the same year, PFOA and PFOS were designated hazardous substances under CERCLA (the federal Superfund law), significantly raising the stakes for site owners and responsible parties where PFAS contamination is found.

What you can do about exposure

• Filter drinking water. Modern filters — particularly activated carbon systems — have been shown to be effective at reducing PFAS in water. This matters most near military bases, airfields, and industrial zones, where source water tends to carry higher levels.
• Use nonstick products as instructed. Don’t overheat nonstick pans, follow dishwasher guidance, and don’t scrape coated surfaces aggressively. Stainless steel and cast iron trade convenience for peace of mind.
• Be aware of PFAS in everyday items — they’ve turned up in products as unexpected as dental floss.

Treating PFAS in soil and groundwater

Because the carbon-fluorine bond resists chemical attack, destructive treatments for PFAS remain an active research frontier. The established, field-practical approach today is adsorption: capturing PFAS onto activated carbon. Hepure supports PFAS management programs built on colloidal and granular activated carbon — see our PFAS Solutions page and the current state of PFAS remediation techniques, or read about how PFAS are detected.

Facing PFAS at your site? Call 866-727-4776 or contact our technical team.